More than 500 participants have registered for the Addu Business Dialogue, a specialised development forum intended to transform Addu City and Addu Atoll into a commercial hub, Mohamed Saeed, the Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade, said. Following an initial announcement by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, preparations are underway for the initiative, which seeks to prioritise the advancement of small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Speaking to reporters at the President’s Office, Minister Saeed outlined a plan to implement special incentives between 2027 and 2029 to accelerate Addu's development. The forum, scheduled for 13-14 May, aims to pinpoint operational needs. "For example, we are initiating efforts to determine what specialised support in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, fisheries, SMEs [small- and medium-sized enterprises], and retail will drive business growth in the atoll," Minister Saeed said, noting the government is convening the gathering "to figure out the best approach to achieve this."
The dialogues will include local entrepreneurs, academics, and technical specialists. "Currently, registration has reached nearly 500 participants," the minister remarked. Over two days, officials will conduct an "expansive and open review to determine exactly what actions the government must take to deliver accelerated development in Addu," he added.
Following a Cabinet review, the government intends to formally establish regulatory and financial incentives. Minister Saeed characterised the initiative as an exploratory pilot project, with the objective to replicate the model across other regions if successfully executed in the south.